Dispensing device



y 1940- c. w. vos'r 2,206,986

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 3. 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ChrenwiIbyi BY 42 7 -M ATTORNEYS y 9,1940- c. w. 'VOGT 2,296,986

- DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [1:5. 3 I 1 46INVENTOR Ckv'mae MVQQL".

Y .MPZMY'M ATTORJNVEYS Patented July 9, 1940 ,zees

2,206,986 nrsra'nsme navroa.

Clarence W. Vogt, Westport, (301111., assignor to Owens-Illinois GlassCompany, Toledo, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 3, 1937, Serial No. 146,179

17 Claims.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a device forquickly emptying and stripping a flexible walled container of its entireliquid contents. The form shown includes a dispensing receptable orfunnel, having a member within a lower portion thereof for puncturin thecontainer, and a pressure member at the up- I per end of the receptacleoperable to strip the liquid from the punctured container as the latteris withdrawn. Such a device may be used to deliver lubrication to areceiver such as the crank case of an automobile, and is intended toeifect the rapid emptying of the container of its entire oil contents,including that which would otherwise adhere to the inner walls of saidcontainer or which would be slow in reaching the outlet of saidcontainer.

Another object is to provide 'a device whereby a flexible walledcontainer may be quickly emptied and stripped of its entire liquidcontents by a simple manipulation.

A further object is to provide means for rendering the puncturing memberinaccessible for container puncturing operation while the device is notin use, whereby accidental hand contact with said puncturing member isprevented.

Another object is to provide means for controlling the outflow oftheliquid from the receptacle after the container therein has beenpunctured and while it is being stripped.

Another object is to provide new and improved means for supporting thecontainer in the receptacle during puncturing and stripping operation sothat said operation may be carried out in an eiiective and efficientmanner.

As a feature of the present invention there is provided at the outlet ofthe receptacle a valve,

controlled from an operating member, which also controls the movement ofthe pressure member into or out of stripping position.

As another feature this operating member is in v the form of a fingerpiece, which when moved in one direction moves the pressure member ofthe stripping mechanism in position to receive a container in thereceptacle, and when moved in the opposite direction effects thecontrolled opening of the valve without afiecting the pressure member. I

As a further feature means is provided whereby 50 the valve is snappedinto fully opened locked position when the finger piece is moved beyonda predetermined operative position, so that in this locked position thereceptacle will continue to discharge without the necessity of applyingman ual pressure on said finger piecel As another feature the receptacleis divided by a diagonally extending plate, which divides saidreceptacle into a container receiving chamber and a chamber for housingthe valve operating mechanism, and which also supports the 5 containerin said first mentioned chamber during puncturing and strippingoperations.

Various other objects, features and advantages ,of the invention will bemade apparent from the following particular description, and from an in-10 spection of the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a top plan view of one embodiment of the present inventionwith the valve in closed position andthe pressure member of the'strip-15 ping mechanism in position to permit the-dropping of the flexiblewalled container in the receptacle.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2, but showing the pressure memberin stripping position, and the valve in closed position,

Fig. 4 is'a fragmentary vertical section, showing the pressure member instripping position, 25 and the valve locked in fully opened position,

Fig. dis a rear view of the funnel with parts broken away to show theinterior thereof in the position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on the line 5-6 30 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section taken on line l'! of Fig; 5, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a type of flexible walled container thatmay be used in conjunction 35 with the present invention, said containerbeing glown in connection with the puncturing-mem- InFig. 8 is shown aform of flexible walled oil container l0, which may be used inconjunction 40 with the present invention, but it is to be understoodthat any other type of flexible walled container may be used for thepurpose of the present invention. In the form shown this container I 0is made from thin flexible impervious 45 thermoplastic sheet materialsuch as that sold under 'the name ,Pliofilm, and is hermetically sealedlongitudinally at the edges and transversely at the top and bottom.

The container I 0 has a capacity which is greater than the amount of oilstored therein, so as to compensate for the change in volume of oil dueto changes in the temperature thereof. The air from the head space abovethe oil level is exhausted so that the opposite walls of the up-.

per portion of the container will come together, as shown in Fig. 8, toform a. comparatively long In the specific embodiment of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 to 7, there is provided a dispensing receptacle orfunnel, which is so designed as to receive the container l0, and whichcomprises a cylindrical shell 2|, having a conical bottom 22 solderedor'otherwise secured'thereto near the lower end thereof and providedwith a central valve controlled discharge opening 23.

Passing through this valve opening 23,, and afiixed to the bottom wall22 is one end of an elbow 2,4, the other end of which is secured to oneend of a flexible hose 25 passing through an opening on one side of theshell 2|. hose .25 is provided with a discharge nozzle 26, to which maybe secured a clip 21, adapted to be hooked over the upper edge of theshell 2| so that said hose may be supported close to the body innon-dripping position when not in use as shown in Fig. 2.

Extending diagonally within the shell 2| is a partition plate which isdetachably secured to one side of the upper end of said shell by a screw3|, and which passes laterally beyond the valve opening 23 at its lowerend to divide the interior of said shell into a container receivingchamber 32, and a chamber 33 for housing the valve operating mechanismand a portion of the stripper operating mechanism to be described. Thisdiagonal plate 30 serves not only as a partition for the receptacle, butalso as a frame or support for the stripper and valve operatingmechanisms, and as a support for the oil container l0 during puncturingand stripping operations.

The lower end of the plate 3|] is spaced from the bottom wall 22, and isprovided with a comparatively large central opening 35 afiording freecommunication between the container receiving chamber 32 and the chamber33.

The puncturing member includes a knife 40, I

disposed within the lower portion of the .container receiving chamber32, and constructed to form a knockout flap in the bottom of the oilcontainer l0 defining a drain opening of substantial area through whichthe contents of said con-r tainer may be readily discharged. For thatpurpose the knife is substantially U-shaped in cross section, and isadapted to form a correspondingly shaped slit in the bottom of thecontainer. In the specific form the knife is somewhat semicylindrical,and is provided with a pair of cutting edges 4|, converging towards asharp piercing point 42. The lower ends 43 of the cutting edges 4| aredisposed closely adjacent to the plate 3|] so as to cut a drain openingin the container l0 extending to the extreme bottom of said container.

The knife 40 is advantageously supported on the plate 30 by a pair ofspaced rods- 45, rigidly connected to the lower ends of. spaced sectionsof the lower portion of said knife, and also rigidly secured to thelower portion of the plate 30.

The stripping device comprises a pair of vertically spaced platenmembers in a form of cylindrical metal rods 46, presenting platensurfaces for cooperation with a pressure member 41 shown in the form of.a cylindrical tube. This pressure member 41 is normally urgedintopressure applying position with respect to the platen rods 46 as shownin Figs. 3 and 4, and. is angularly movable into inoperative positionshown in Figs. 1 and 2, to permit the container Ill to be insertedbetween said pressure member 41 and said platen The outer end of thisrods 46. For that purpose, the pressure member 41 is secured at itsopposite ends to the upper ends of a pair of similar lever arms 48extending closely adjacent the walls of the shell 2|, and pivoted attheir lower ends 49 to a pair of angular brackets 50, secured to theplate 30 adjacent to opposite edges of the latter.

In'order to angularly move the lever arms 48 about their pivotalsupports, each of said arms has a substantially right angle extension5|, adapted to pass through an elongated notch 5|a at the edge of theplate 30, and having a slot 52 through which passes a floating pivot pin53 cone nected to one end of a lever arm 54. The two lever arms convergeand are fixed to a rock shaft 55 which is disposed in the chamber 33,and suitably journaled in a pair of brackets 56 carried by the partitionplate 30.

The rock shaft 55 is actuated by an operating mechanism in the form of afinger piece 58, extending through a slot 60 on one side of the shell2|, and having a hub 6|, which loosely embraces the rock shaft 55 andwhich is adapted to rotate said shaft by its engagement of a pin 64aflixed diametrically to said shaft and passing loosely through a pairof. diametrically opposed slots 62 and 63 on said hub.

In order to normally maintain the pressure member 4] in the pressureapplying position shown in Fig. 3, there is provided a torsion spring66, encircling the rock shaft 55, and having one end anchored to therock'shaft by any suitable means, as for instance, the cotter pin 65,and having the other end 61 extending downwardly as shown in Fig. 5 andengaging the plate 30, so that said rock shaft is urged in acounterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 3. Under the action of thistorsion spring 66, the stripping device will be normally locked in theposition shown in Fig. 3 so that the movement of the pressure member 41away from the platen rods 46 can only be effected by the downwardactuation of the finger piece 58. I

The depression of the finger piece 58 into the position shown in Fig. 2causes the clockwise rotation of the rock shaft 55 against the action ofthe torsion spring 66 and causes thereby the angular movement of thelever arms 54 in a corresponding direction, so that the lever arms 48carrying the pressure member 41 will be swung into the position shown inFig. 2.

The receptacle is provided with a handle 10, disposed below the fingerpiece 58, and preferably having a section II adapted to be convenientlygrasped in the palm of the hand, and slanting upwardly toward thereceptacle so that the finger piece 58 is conveniently accessible foroperation by the thumb of the hand grasping said handle. In order toprovide resilient yield between the pressure member 41 and the platenmember 46 during stripping of the container, so that said members willpermit the extra thickness of the container along the bottom seam topass therebetween, said platenmembers are connected to a pair of springplates 13, connected at their lower ends to the plate 30.

' Means are provided for rendering the knife 46 inaccessible forcontainer puncturing operation while the funnel is.not inuse, so as toprevent shown in Fig. 4 willfcause the clockwise unison with said leverarms, and has an intermediate U-shaped section with the arms 11 thereofconverging toward their outer end so that when the lever arms 48 arerotated into container receiving position shown in Fig. 2 the guard 1will clear the side of the shell 21-.

As an important feature of the present invention there is provided avalve mechanism, which controls the flow of liquid-through the valveopen ing 23, and which is operated from ,the finger piece 58. For thatpurpose there is provided a valve member comprising a disc 88 offlexible material such as leather which is adapted to be seated on theupper edge of the elbow 24 forming a valve seat for the valve opening23, and which is shown as rigidly clamped between a washer 8| disposedon top of said disc, and a washer 82 of smaller diameter disposed on theunderside of said disc. Connected to this valve member is an arm 84,pivotally supported on a pin 85, which in turn is supported on the'outer ends of a pair of bracket plates 88, secured to the plate '38, andforming a yoke through which the arm 84 is adapted to operate. This arm84 has an angular extension 81 providedwith a tongue passing. throughslits in the valve disc to and thewashers 8| and 82 and upset at itslower end to form a permanent connection to said valve member.

The valve disc 80 is urged into closed position shown in Fig. 2 by meansof a compression coil spring 98, one end of which is anchored to a lug9| on the plate 38, the other end being'affixed tov the arm 84 in such amanner that theaxisof said spring in said closed position extends belowthe pivotal pin 85.

For controlling the valve disc 88 from'the finger piece 58, the hub 61has a depending extension 92, pivotally connected at its lower end toone end of a link 93, the lower end of the latter being pivotallyconnected at 84 to the arm 84.

The slots 52 and 63 are so formed and arranged on the hub 6| that whenthe finger piece 58 is moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig.3 toward the position shown in Fig. 2, said hub will engage the crosspin 84 .and cause the corresponding rotation of the rock shaft and the.movement of the pressure member 41 into the position shown in Fig. 2,but when said finger piece is moved upwardly from the normal positionshown in Fig. 3 toward the position shown in Fig. i, the hub 6| will berotated idly around the rock shaft 55, which is locked in the strippingposition as shown in Figs. 3 and 4./ For that purpose the slots 82 and63 flare radially outwardly and extend from opposite sides of .the

cross pin 64 when the hub BI is in normal posi-.

tion shown in Figs. 3 and '7', and the slot 83 presents a shoulder 95which is immediately engaged by said hub 6| when the finger piece 58 isdepressedfrom the position shown insaid figures to. cause rotation ofthe shaft 55.

The pivotal connection between the link 93 and the extension 92 is a'loose one with a small amount of lost motion' so that although thedepressing of the finger-piece 58 from the position shown in Fig. 3 tothe position shownin Fig.- 2 causes a slight angular movement of saidlink 93, this movement is not enough to affect the valve disc 88, exceptperhaps. to press said valve disc more tightly against the valve seat.

The lifting of the finger piece 58 from the nor-' mal position shown inFig. 3 toward the position v ent is:

movethe finger piece 58. When the axis of the spring 88 passes throughthe pivot pin 85, the valve 'disc 88 will be in'dead centerposition, anda.

slight further movement of the ,"finger piece 58 will cause the valvedisc to be snapped into the wide open position shown in Fig. 4 throughthe' action of the spring 88. The valve disc 88 is limited in thislatter position by the engagement of the wall of the slot 82 or 63 withthe cross pin 84.

In the operation of the device the finger piece 58 is depressed from theposition shown in Fig.3 to that shown in Fig. 2 by the application ofthumb pressure thereon. This operation causes the pressure member 41 .tomove away from the platen rods 46 as shown in Fig. 2. While in thisposition .the container 18 is dropped into the receptacle chamber 3,2between said pressure member and said platen rods and against thepartition plate 38 so that the piercing knife 40 cuts out asubstantially semi-circular opening in said container'adjacent to thebottom thereof. The pressure on thefinger piece 58 is then released'andpressure member 41 is moved into stripping position in contact with andbetween the platen rods 48 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this positionany pressure applied to the arms 48 tending to rotate said arms in acounterclockwise directlon will apply a pressure at thefioat- .ing pin58 upwardly in a direction substantially lengthwise. transversely of theslot 52, so that these arms are locked against such-movement except. byoperation of the finger piece 58.

The receptacle is of such height with respect to thecontainer that whensaid container is in said receptacle, a substantial portion of thecontainer flap H will'extend beyond the platen rods 46 or may be so heldthat when the pressure member 41 returns .into pressure applyingposition shown in Figs. 3 and 4; theupper portion of said container fiapwill be caught between said pressure member and said platen rods. Theupper portion of the container flap ll extending above the platen rods46 is then grasped by the fingers and the container drawn upwardly. Thecombined drawing action on-the container and the pressure action ofthe-roller causes the stripping of the container and the forcing out ofits en =tire contents.

' The opening of the valve is effected by the application of upwardthumb pressure on the finger trol may-be effected while the container 18is being stripped or after the stripping operation.

The receptacle is advantageously large enough to accommodate two quartsof liquidso that two containers 18, each containing, one quart of oil isopened. Having. thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesireto secure by Letters Patbefore or while the valve 1. Adevice-forfdischarging thec'ontents of a flexible walled container,including a receptacle for receiving said-container, means at the top ofsaid receptacle for stripping said container of its may be emptied andstripped in said receptacle entire contents during the withdrawal of thecontainer from the receptacle, a valve for controlling the discharge orliquid from said receptacle, a finger piece projecting iromsaidreceptacle, 9. member within said receptacle for supporting both saidstripping means and said finger piece, andmeans responsive to theoperation of said finger piece for controlling the operation of saidflexible walled container, including a receptacle ,for receiving saidcontainer, means on said receptacle for stripping said container oi! itsentire contents, a valve for controlling the discharge of liquid fromsaid receptacle, a finger piece on said receptacle, means responsive tothe operation of said finger piece in one direction for moving saidstripping means into container receiving position, and means responsiveto the operation of said finger piece in an opposite direction forcontrolling the operation of said valve.

4. A device for discharging the contents oLa flexible walled container,including a receptacle having a partition therein dividing saidreceptacle into adjoining compartments. means supported on saidpartition for stripping said container of its entire contents, and avalve mechanism also supported on said partition for controlling theflow of liquid from said receptacle.

'5. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer, including a receptacle having a detachable containersupporting wall therein extending obliquely lengthwise with respect tothe axis-of said receptacle and forming a pair of adjoiningcompartments, and a container puncturing member supported on said walland removable therewith.

6. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walled container,including a receptacle having a detachable container supporting walltherein extending obliquely lengthwise with respect to the axis of saidreceptacle and forming a pair of adjoining compartments, and meanssupported on said wall and removable therewith for collapsing andsqueezing a punctured container,- whereby upbn removal of said containerfrom said receptacle, said container will be stripped of itsentire'contents.

'1. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer, including an open topped receptacle having a discharge outletat the bottom, a valve member for controlling the extent of opening bf.said outlet, a mechanism for operat- 'ing said valve member. a.container puncturing member in said receptacle, and means connectingsaid members and said valve operating mechtured container upon removal01' said punctured container from said receptacle, said valve member,said valve operating mechanism and said stripping means forming aremovable unit from said receptacle.

9. A device for discharging the contents or a flexible walled container,including a receptacle having a discharge outlet, a valve member forcontrolling the extent of opening of said outlet, a mechanism foroperating said valve member, a container puncturing member in said receptacle, and means on said receptacle for stripping a puncturedcontainer upon removal of said punctured container from said receptacle,said valve member, said valve operating mechanism, said puncturingmember, and said stripping means forming a removable unit from saidreceptacle.

10. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer, including a receptacle, a valve mechanism for controlling thedischarge of liquid from said receptacle, a partition dividing saidreceptacle into a container receiving chamber, and a housing forreceiving said valve mechanism, and a container'puncturing device insaid container'receiving chamber.

11. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer, including-a receptacle, a valve mechanism for controlling thedischarge or liquid from said receptacle, a partition dividing saidreceptacle into a container receiving chamber and a housing forreceiving said valve mechanism, anda mechanism in said containerreceiving chamber for stripping a punctured container upon removal ofthecontainer from the receptacle.

12. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer, including a receptacle, a rock shait, a finger piece mountedon said rock shaft, a platen member. a pressure member cooperatingtherewith and operable from said rock shaft; a valve for controlling thedischarge of liquid from said receptacle, means responsive to themovement of said finger piece in one direction for -'''rotating saidrock shaft to move said pressure member, and means responsive to themovement of said finger piece in the opposite direction" for operatingsaid valve.

flexible walled container, including a receptacle, a bottom wall on saidreceptacle having a. discharge outlet, a valve member cooperating withsaid outlet, a. lever piece connected to said valve 'member, a fingerpiece, a link between said finger piece and. said lever piece, and meansin said receptacle for puncturing a container.

'14. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer, including a vessel a bottom wall on said vessel having adischarge outlet, a valve member cooperating with said outlet, a fingerpiece, means operable when said finger piece has been moved beyond apredetermined position for snapping said valve member into fully openposition, and means in said vessel for puncturing the container. I

15. A device for dischargingthe contents of a vessel having a conical;bottom wall provided with a central opening, a plate extendingebflexible walled container, including a'cylindrical liquely in saidvessel and having its lowenend extending laterally beyond said openingto form a container recei jacent thereto, a container puncturing 'devicein said chamber, and a valve mechanism in said housing for controllingthe flow of liquid through said open ng.

g chamberand a housing ad- 16. A device for discharging the contents ofa flexible walled container, including a vessel, a valve for controllingthe outlet of said vessel, a finger piece extending into said vessel andaccessible from the outside of said vessel, means on said vessel forstripping a punctured container upon removal of said container from saidvessel, means responsive to the downward mo'vement of said finger piecefor movingsaid stripping means into container receiving position, andmeans responsive to the upward move: nt of said finger piece foroperating said. valve to open position.

1'7. A device for discharging the contents of a flexible walledcontainer including a. receptacle, a valve mechanism for controlling thedischarge of liquid from said receptacle, a mechanism in said receptaclefor stripping thecontents of a punctured container, a finger piece,means responsive to the movement of said finger piece in one directionfor gradually operating said valve into partially open position; andmeans for snapping said mechanism into wide open position when saidfinger piece is moved beyond a predeter- 1o mined position.

CLARENCE W. VOGT.

